House Republicans and Senate Democrats could not reach agreement by the midnight deadline on a spending bill to keep the government operating, triggering an immediate shutdown of nonessential services and the furlough of nonessential personnel potentially affecting hundreds of thousands of federal workers.

Tuesday marks the launch of state health insurance exchanges, a major part of the Affordable Care Act. Among the many changes likely after the new health coverage takes effect: Fewer people behind bars.

Moving quickly, on Monday, the Senate voted 54-46 to reject a House continuing resolution that would avert a government shutdown but would delay the implementation of President Obama's signature law, the Affordable Care Act.

A former Illinois Department of Corrections accounting employee will serve 21 months in federal prison after admitting to embezzling more than $50,000 from a fund meant to benefit prison workers killed in the line of duty.

A new survey shows six out of 10 Illinois adults don't know about the new Illinois health insurance marketplace launching Tuesday, or that it will offer eligible people financial help paying the cost of insurance.